When it comes to official state animals, the Buckeye state got it right. Ohio has named shelter pets as its official state pet and that’s something to cheer about.

The legislation, S.B. 86, approved in March, helps focus awareness on the importance of finding homes for cats and dogs from shelters.

Several other states have similar designations, including California, which approved a resolution in 2015. Georgia, Tennessee and Colorado also recognize shelter pets as state symbols.

More than 6 million animals are sent to shelters each year and more than a million are euthanized if they aren’t adopted.

Friends of Animals advocates for low-cost spaying and neutering to prevent mass killings in shelters and has been educating the public about the importance of adopt, don’t shop.

For more on adopting pets, read FoA’s blog Off Leash.